Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone

Subject: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST,Lynn Koch
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 09:06 AM

I'm transcribing a song recorded in the late 40's, and I only have a fragment of it. Can anyone help with the lyrics?

The only more-or-less complete verse goes (partially):

It's down in the harbor where our ship lay its anchor
******** to the captain we quickly made known
*******
He told us he'd wrestle us down to Tyrone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 09:33 AM

I guess this may be what you're looking for. It's called The County Tyrone and I learned it from a recording of Robert Cinnamond of Ballinderry, County Antrim, which was made in August 1955 by Sean O' Boyle.

The text is as I sing it and I can't remember after all these years whether I've altered any of it. Which means I probably have.

There is another version in Sam Henry's book Songs of the People. 1990, Georgia UP. A transcription of Cinnamond's original text might be in Peter Kennedy Folk Songs of Britain and Ireland. Cassell, 1975. I'll check when I've got a minute.

The County Tyrone

My parents often told me they never could control me.
They would make me a draper would I stay at home.
But I took a notion for higher promotion.
I would see farther parts from the County Tyrone.

I first came to Newry, where I fell a-courting
a bonny wee lassie for a wife of my own.
But she would not hear me nor yet would come near me.
For she said I was married in the County Tyrone.

Although I'm a stranger, my love there's no danger.
For married nor promised I never was to none.
Then she swore by her conscience that she'd
run all chances and travel with me to the County Tyrone.

So early next morning bright Phoebus adorning
We first took our way by the three mile stone.
The guards they did pursue us but they never came to us
Till they met with an old man was walking alone.

He told them he met us and where they could get us
and showed them the way to the County Tyrone.
They being in such trouble their pace they did double
And swore if they got us they would break all our bones.

Down in yon harbour our ship she lay waiting.
And the captain he viewed us as we came along.
And they threw a plank to us and on board they drew us
and told us this vessel was bound for Tyrone.

My love she lay sighing, lamenting and crying.
I'd a drop in the bottle that I'd brought from home.
And when she did taste it she said, love don't waste it.
For we might need a drop when we land in Tyrone.

Ye bards and ye muses I pray you'll excuse us.
For now my song is ended and I've brought her home.
And my loves name to finish is wee Jenny Innis
and I'm bold McGuinness, from the County Tyrone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 09:39 AM

Lynn, what other fragments do you have? I'm coming up empty with all the phrases so far, even in combinations. Google with quotations shows only the lyrics you have posted and no others.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 09:41 AM

Good one, Guest. You have a great memory, btw.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 09:49 AM

Here is a related Mudcat thread from seven or eight years ago and the song lyrics are also posted there with some differing spellings.

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=96624

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: maeve
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 10:01 AM

Nameless Guest's link to Mudcat thread- "Tyrone" song

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST,Lynn
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 03:33 PM

Thanks much. Helped greatly. LAK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST,Lynn Koch
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 03:45 PM

This is from the singing of Yankee John Galusha (Adirondack singer), and it seems to be unique to his repertoire, as I can't find any other references to the fragments on either side of the one complete verse I have. I have enough to do the job, though.

Here's what I heard on this scratchy recording:

[last line only]
They heard us conversing of the County Tyrone

It's down in the harbor where our ship lay at anchor
The case to the captain we quickly made known
Then a plank he threw to us and on board he drew us
He told us his vessel was bound for Tyrone

[first line skipped over]
In spite of her parents I did bring her home
With love I'll respect her and I'll protect her
For she's the chief flower of the County Tyrone

Thanks for all your help! LAK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 05:43 PM

http://www.helencreighton.org/collection/recordings/code/

See the song numbered 10 on that link.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 07:54 AM

Sorry folks, that first anonymous posting was from me, but none of the subsequent ones were.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 03:24 PM

I cross-posted with you, Fred. Sorry 'bout that. I'd had the MC page open while I googled around for info. When I asked for any other info Lynn might have, I then checked to see if the post had taken and boom, there were your lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: County Tyrone or Down to Tyrone
From: maeve
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 03:52 PM

Good of you to let us know, Fred. Thanks.